The development of HMS Belfast, the third Kind 26 Metropolis-class frigate for the Royal Navy, reached a key milestone this week because the ship’s aft block was efficiently moved into the newly opened Janet Harvey Corridor at BAE Programs’ Govan shipyard in Glasgow.
This marks the primary time a Kind 26 frigate will likely be absolutely consolidated below cowl, permitting development to proceed with out interruption from climate and enhancing construct effectivity. The bow part of HMS Belfast is anticipated to comply with within the coming weeks. As soon as the total hull is in place, the ship will bear additional structural and outfitting work earlier than being floated off and transferred alongside the Clyde to BAE’s Scotstoun yard for remaining testing and trials.
The Aft block of HMS Belfast, the third Kind 26 Metropolis Class entered the Janet Harvey Corridor earlier this week at BAE Programs’ shipyard in Govan. Footage courtesy of @BAES_Maritime. pic.twitter.com/okzLiXQ5J0
— UK Defence Journal (@UKDefJournal) July 3, 2025
In an announcement, BAE Programs described the transfer as an essential second for the programme delivering probably the most superior anti-submarine warfare functionality to the Royal Navy.
The Kind 26 programme is a significant nationwide endeavor involving greater than 120 UK suppliers. Every ship is designed for a service lifetime of at the least 25 years and can stay in Royal Navy service into the 2060s. Capabilities embrace the Sea Ceptor air defence system, a five-inch medium calibre gun, Artisan 997 radar, superior sonar programs and a vertical launch system capable of home a wide range of missile sorts.
The category is designed round flexibility and lethality within the undersea surroundings, however with broad utility for international operations. The ships are being constructed in blocks utilizing superior digital modelling strategies to extend precision and cut back threat throughout meeting.
The Kind 26 design has additionally been chosen by the governments of Australia and Canada, forming the idea of a multinational programme anticipated to supply 29 ships throughout the three nations.
Classes discovered from the UK construct will likely be shared to enhance effectivity throughout all programmes. Norway can be evaluating the platform for its next-generation frigate substitute.
The Janet Harvey Corridor, named for a pioneering Clyde ship designer, represents a major funding within the modernisation of UK shipbuilding and helps BAE Programs’ technique to construct quicker, smarter and at better scale. HMS Belfast is anticipated to be the primary of many Kind 26 ships to learn from this lined meeting facility.